About Looking

by John Berger

example; all the animal productions of the Disney industry are a more recent and extreme one. In such works the pettiness of current social practices is universalised by being projected on to the animal kingdom. The following dialogue between Donald Duck and his nephews is eloquent enough. “DONALD: Man, what a day! What a perfect day for fishing, boating, dating or picnicking — only I can’t do any of these things! NEPHEW: Why not, Unca Donald? What’s holding you back? DONALD: The Bread of Life boys! As usual, I’m broke and its eons till payday. NEPHEW: You could take a walk Unca Donald — go bird-watching. DONALD: (groan!) I may have to! But first, I’ll wait for the mailman. He may bring something good newswise! NEPHEW: Like a cheque from an unknown relative in Moneyville?”